“The arts in Maryland are not only a significant economic generator and source of well-paying jobs, but they are also critical to maintaining our outstanding quality of life,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.  “The arts have a tremendous impact on the lives of every Marylander. When we invest in the arts, we invest in our communities, our businesses and our citizens.”

The study analyzed the state by dividing it into six regions. Maryland’s Central Region comprised of Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford and Howard counties, contributed $619 million in economic impact from the arts and provided 8,066 arts-related jobs. The Greater Washington Region, which includes Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, contributed $318 million and provided 4,184 jobs. The remainder of the state, which is divided into Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, the Upper Eastern Shore and the Lower Eastern Shore, contributed a combined $114 million and provided a total of 1,512 arts-related jobs

Arts organizations reported a total income of $161 million in 2006. About 30 percent, or $50 million, was earned from various program activities including ticket sales, exhibitor’s fees, contracts and memberships. Cash contributions and revenues from fundraising events totaled 26 percent, or $41 million, of total earnings. To review the complete study, click on Economic Impact of the Arts in Maryland: 2006 Update.  Statistics for the study were drawn from 247 Maryland organizations that produce or present the arts around the state, and receive grants from the Maryland State Arts Council for ongoing support of their operations and programs. The study did not take into account the economic impact of for-profit arts organizations and the activities of individual visual, performing and literary artists.

 When it comes to advocating for the arts, there is arguably no greater supporter in Maryland than Ida Ruben. Because of her dedication to the arts, the former Maryland legislator and outgoing Maryland State Arts Council board member was honored with a host of citations, gifts and many kind words during a recent Arts Council board meeting. Former and current Arts Council board members gathered to pay tribute to the former senator, who had served in the Maryland State Senate for 20 years, part of her 32 years in the Maryland General Assembly.

One of the longest serving legislators in Maryland, Mrs. Ruben developed a reputation as a persistent and effective advocate for the needs of all Marylanders and helped craft legislation on everything from drunken driving laws to protection for abused women to public health issues.

A longtime Montgomery County resident, Mrs. Ruben served as President Pro Tem of the Maryland Senate, as a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the Joint Committee on Spending Affordability and the Capital Budget Subcommittee. Since 1988, she served as chair of the Montgomery County Senate Delegation. Throughout her career she has been a staunch supporter of the arts. “The arts are an important part of my life,” Mrs. Ruben said at the council meeting. “Dance has always been my love, but the rest of the arts go along with it.”

During her remarks, Mrs. Ruben stressed the importance of the arts to quality of life in Maryland, saying they provide “culture and meaning.”

“If you took the arts away, our lives would be shallow,” she said. “The arts are particularly important in the schools. I wish we had more.”

The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has awarded its esteemed Cherry Adler Award to the Black Cherry Puppet Theater, a Baltimore-based theater company that offers the art of puppetry to wide audiences through live performances and workshops and develops strategies to use puppetry as an educational tool. The award was accepted by Michael Lamason, the theater’s co-director, at the January 19 MSAC board meeting.

Established by MSAC in 1999, the Cherry Adler Award recognizes excellence in Maryland children’s theatre organizations.  The award is named after Charlotte “Cherry” Adler, a former member and chairperson of the arts council who died of cancer in 1998.  Mrs. Adler was also the founder and Executive Director of Library Theatre, a children’s theatre in Montgomery County.  At the request of her family, donations were made in Mrs. Adler’s name to the arts council to establish a $2,000 biennial award for children’s theatre organizations in Maryland. The award consists entirely of private funds.

“Throughout her life, Mrs. Adler demonstrated an unwavering support of the arts, and had a great passion for children’s theatre programs and activities,” said Dania Blair, Chair of MSAC. “It is especially fitting that the Black Cherry Puppet Theater, one of the most well respected puppet theaters in the region, receive this award and continue her legacy.”

“Maryland has a strong and incredibly vibrant network of arts organizations devoted to encouraging children to become involved in the arts,” said Theresa Colvin, Executive Director of MSAC. “Through donations from family and friends of Cherry Adler, Maryland can continue to support organizations that enrich the lives of children through their innovative educational programming.” 

“Black Cherry Puppet Theater (BCPT) is delighted and most honored to again be a recipient of the Cherry Adler award,” said Michael Lamason, Black Cherry’s Co-Director, at the award presentation. “We can bring live performances and the practice of puppetry to thousands of Maryland children because of the support of organizations like the Maryland State Arts Council and the family and friends of Cherry Adler. Many of these children have little exposure to live theater or the opportunity to experience hands on, the art of the puppet. On behalf of these children and the artists of Black Cherry Puppet Theater, we thank you.”

Started in 1980, Black Cherry Puppet Theater is an association of artists and performers dedicated to the development of the art of the puppet. A mobile puppet theater bringing very special theatrical experience with live performances, innovative community arts and educational programs to audiences in communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is committed to the advancement of puppetry arts through collaborations, residencies with artists of other disciplines and setting the highest artistic standards. BCPT performed more than 100 shows its first year and more than a thousand times since while developing exciting education & community arts programs. Performances have been given across the region at schools, recreation centers, art and community festivals, Museums and BCPT’s Theater and Garden. The repertoire includes such classics as Hansel and Gretel, Billy Goats Gruff’kin and The Frog Prince. Specializing in Marionette and Shadow Theater, BCPT’s newer shows explore trick puppets and Object Theater.

In 2002, Black Cherry Puppet Theater began renovation of four abandoned properties in the historic Hollins Market Neighborhood. Completion of the black-box theater, office, library, resource center, sculptural fence and performance garden resulted in a new center for community arts. The center added unique vitality to the neighborhood and provided important arts opportunities for area children and families.